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hastity is not impossible," says Luz Marie, a lay person who has dedicated her life to working for the pastoral centre at Bandra. "Being celibate is not easy but, with divine help and prayer, people can abstain. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with leaving the priesthood. If the vow of celibacy is making a person unhappy, then priests and nuns have the freedom to leave the Church. They need not cut themselves off completely; the Church welcomes them if they wish to continue participating in Church activities."

While Dr Fernandes agrees that chastity is not impossible, he does not agree that one's emotional needs can be served by the idea of loving everybody. "It's great to believe in universal love but, eventually, you need one person who will love you. You need one person who will see you through thick and thin."

Luz Marie is the perfect example of how a married person can be equally dedicated to the service of God, without compromising on either one of them. In today's world, perhaps a lifestyle such as hers is a more feasible option for people wishing to serve the Lord.

It remains to be seen whether change will come to the Catholic Church the world over. "As far as changes go, I can't see the vow of celibacy being abolished," says Fr Gracias. "But the Church may decide to ordain married people. Then, people who are married and want to serve the Church, still have an option." Dr Fernandes agrees with him and adds, "The ordination of women will be another positive change."

r Fernandes also hopes that the Church will become less strict in future. "The Church should be more lenient if a person is unhappy and is finding it difficult. They should make it easier for people who wish to leave the priesthood. It is true that I did not experience any bitterness. But, because of the complications involved, it is very hard to actually give up the priesthood."

As the pros and cons are faced, the world wonders how the Catholic Church will deal with the reality of the present and the coming of the future. And, while the debate rages, scepticism has creeped into our belief of the Church and its leaders. Somewhere, in between now and then, there is an individual that is trying to deal with the torment of the mind and body. Fighting each day to live up to the expectations of a Church, his people and his ideal. As he lives his days hell, in the hope of heaven…

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